Copying device including radiation sensitive members electrically responsive to the reflected image

ABSTRACT

A copying device in which the original is scanned by a radiation source, and the radiation reflected from the original is projected onto a plurality of radiation sensitive members electrically connected to corresponding conducting elements. The conducting elements transmit current to an electrically conducting copy paper which is sensitive to current and/or heat to form images on the copy paper. The elements conduct a varying current in proportion to the radiation impinging on the radiation sensitive members for producing a copy locally or remotely of the original on the current and/or heat sensitive copy paper.

United States Patent Harvey [54] COPYING DEVICE INCLUDING RADIATIONSENSITIVE MEMBERS ELECTRICALLY RESPONSIVE TO THE REFLECTED IMAGE [72]Inventor: Donald M. Harvey, Webster, N .Y. [73] Assignee: Eastman KodakCompany,

Rochester, N.Y.

{22] Filed: April 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 33,466

[52] US. Cl. ..346/74 E, l78/DlG. 2 [51] Int. Cl. ..G01d 15/06, H04n1/30 [58] Field of Search ...346/74 E, 74 S, 74 CH, 74 SB, 346/74 ES;95/45; 178/6 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,419,88812/1968 Levy ..346/74 P 3,235,874 2/1966 Boyd et al. ..346/74 P3,217,588 11/1965 Chitayat....l ..176/6 51 Oct. 17, 1972 3,419,67612/1968 Macovski ...'..346/74P 3,217,589 11/1965 Chitayat ..l78/6Primary Examiner-Remind Konick Assistant Examiner-Gary M. HoffmanAttorney-Robert W. Hampton and Steve W. Gremban [57] ABSTRACT A copyingdevice in which-the original is scanned by a radiation source, and theradiation reflected from the original is projected onto a plurality ofradiation sensitive members electrically connected to correspondingconducting elements. The conducting elements transmit current to anelectrically conducting copy paper which is sensitive to current and/orheat to form images on the copy paper. The elements conduct a varyingcurrent in proportion to the radiation impinging on the radiationsensitive members for producing a copy locally or remotely of theoriginal on the current and/or heat sensitive copy paper.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUET 17 I972 SHEET 1 0F 2 DONALD M.HARVEY INVENTOR. k M

FIG. 2

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDUBI 17 I972 SHEET 2 BF 2 ,RECT/F/ED A C VOL TA GEaoaaeno DD 0 coco UD ounce nuance FIG. 8

FIG. "4

6! 1 RECTIFIER DONALD M. HARVEY INVENTOR.

FIG. 7

I ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates generally to copying devices, and more specifically toa copying device in which a copy of an irradiated original is locally orremotely formed on an electrical current and/or heat sensitive copypaper.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known in the art to providefacsimile devices for transmitting and receiving images. For facsimilereception, a stylus is moved back and forth across the surface of a copypaper in slight pressure contact therewith and transmits electricalpulses to the paper in accordance with the image being transmitted. Theelectrical impulses generate heat in the particular areas in which theycontact the copy paper to form images on the copy paper. Although suchfacsimile devices are satisfactory for the transmission and reception ofimages, the concepts involved therein are not adaptable to a high speedcopying device in which an original is fed into the machine and a copysimultaneously removed therefrom locally or remotely. Such facsimiledevices have the disadvantage of being slow since the stylus must moveback and forth across the surface of the paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes within its scopecopying devices in which the original is scanned by a radiation source,and the radiation from the original is projected onto a plurality ofradiation sensitive members electrically connected to correspondingelectrical conducting elements. The conducting elements transmit currentto an electrically conducting copying paper which is sensitive to anelectrical current and/or heat in proportion to the radiation impingingon the radiation sensitive members. The copying paper is subjected tothe current in a varying dot pattern conforming to the radiation toproduce a copy of the original. In a specific embodiment of theinvention, the original is scanned on a line-by-line basis, and theconducting elements are located in spaced, parallel alignment with acopy paper support platen to form a passageway therebetween. The heatand/or electrical current sensitive copy paper is transported throughthe passageway and into engagement with the conducting elements tocomplete an electrical circuit connected to an alternating potential.Completion of the electrical circuit by the paper results in a currentflow through the conducting elements and paper which is dependent uponthe radiation received from the original by the radiation sensitivemembers. The current flow through the conducting elements and papercauses a change in appearance, such as a color change, to take place inthe heat and/or electrical current sensitive copy paper to form a copyof the original.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a copyingdevice in which the original is irradiated and a copy formed locally orremotely on an electrical current and/or heat sensitive copy paper by aplurality of radiation sensitive elements responsive to radiation fromthe original.

Another object of the invention is to provide a copying device that isof simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient inoperation, and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a copying device capableof producing half-tone copies of an original.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become apparent in thedetailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of apreferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of one embodiment of thecopying device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the copying device of FIG. 1 showing theelectrical circuit for producing a positive copy of the original;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 2 showing the electricalcircuit for producing a negative copy of the original;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 2 showing an electricalcircuit for producing a half-tone copy of the original;

FIG. 5 is a segmental view in perspective of the radiation sensing meansof the copying device;

- FIG. 6 is an enlarged segmental view of a portion of the radiationsensing means of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in section of another embodiment ofthis invention; and

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing aportion of the radiation sensing means broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Because copying devices arewell known, the present description will be directed in particular toelements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the presentinvention,copying device elements not specifically shown or describedherein being understood to be selectable from those known in the art.

One embodiment of the copying device 10 of this invention comprises ahousing having side walls 12, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1, forrotatably supporting the ends of opposed pressure transport rollers 14for transporting an original 16 across an exposure slit 18 formed in thetop wall 20 of the device 10. The front and rear walls 22, 24respectively of the device 10 further support a reflector unit 26 towhich a radiation means such as lamp bank 28 is secured for irradiatingor exposing the original 16 as it is transported across exposure slit18. The original 16 is preferably fed across exposure slit 18 with theinformation on the original facing the radiation source 28. Theradiation reflected from each line of information on the original variesby virtue of the difference in density of the line of information, thedark or black type or characters being not as reflective as the whitebackground. The varying radiation is focused by an objective lens 30mounted in a plate 32 supported by the device 10 onto a plurality ofradiation sensitive members such as photocells 34, as best seen in FIGS.4 and 5, for

producing a varying current flow. The photocells 34 are supported by aninsulator bracket 36 secured to device by leaf springs 38 in spaced,parallel relationship to exposure slit 18. Each of the radiationsensitive members 34 is electrically connected to a member such as aneedle 40 mounted in bracket 36 in the form of a thin wire or a ribbonof metal preferably made of a composition customarily employed forresistance heating units operating at high temperature. Although needles40 are mounted in close proximity to photocells 34, since the onlyconnection therebetween is electrical, they could be separated, withthephotocells and related irradiating apparatus at one location, and the vneedles and associated copy paper holding apparatus at paper such as agelatin coated white paper soaked with a salt water solution to make itelectrically conductive, and of the type which changes appearance, suchas a color change, when subjected to current flow and/or heat. The copypaper 42 is transported by any suitable opposed rollers 46 and guides 48through an entry slit 50 in the rear wall 24 of the device 10. Thedevice may be provided with a tray 52 adjacent the entry slit 50 forpreferably holding an electrolyte solution through which the copyingpaper 42 may be guided by any suitable guiding means, not shown, priorto its transport through the copying device 10 for coating orimpregnating the paper with an electrically conducting solution such asan electrolyte. Instead of applying the electrolyte solution to thepaper, the paper may be provided with a solid electrolyte coated thereonwith the gelatin. Also, instead of guiding the copy paper through anelectrolyte solution, the electrolyte may be provided in a capsulesecured to the paper, the electrolyte contained therein being spread onthe paper when the capsule is crushed upon passage through a pair ofopposed rollers or the like.

Power is connected to the radiation sensitive members 40 through a busbar 54 electrically connected to members 40 and secured to bracket 36.As indicated heretofore, bracket 36 is supported by leaf springs 38which are secured to bracket 36 through insulator plates 56. As noted inthe electrical wiring diagram shown in FIG. 2, a potential such as a 115volt 60 hz. alternating current source is connected via the bus bar 54to radiation sensitive members 34, and the current output thereofconnected to needles 40. The support platen 44 is preferably connectedto ground potential. When the electrically conducting copy paper 42 istransported through copying device 10, the paper completes an electricalcircuit between needles 40 and platen 44. Since the radiation sensitivemembers 34 conduct current modulated in proportion to the radiation towhich they are subjected, a dark image on original 16 will not reflecttoo much radiation causing the corresponding radiation sensitive member34 to conduct very little current, if any, with the result that a changein appearance in the copy paper 42 does not occur. On the other hand, alight portion of the original 16 will reflect considerable radiationonto a corresponding radiation sensitive member 34 causing it to conductsufficiently to cause a change in appearance in the portion of the copypaper 42 with which it is in contact. One theory is that the change inappearance in the copy paper is due to the heat generated in the paperdue to its inherent resistance rather than to the heat generated in theneedle. In any event, the needles 40 will form an image line in thepaper 42 that is a copy of the image line on the original 16. Whether anegative or positive copy is obtained depends on how an AC amplifier andresistor circuit 58 are connected into the circuit. With the circuit inFIG. 2, a positive copy is obtained whereas with the circuit of FIG. 3,a negative copy is obtained. The transport rollers 14, 46 for theoriginal and copy paper respectively are drivingly connected together bybelts 60 as seen in FIG. 2, and are driven by any suitable motor 62 sothat the original and copy paper are transported in propersynchronization and in opposite directions. Any known switch, such asswitch 59 shown in FIG. 2, may be provided to connect the radiationsource 28 and transport motor 62 to a power source, and to disconnectthem following completion of a copying cycle. Switch 59 may preferablyremain in a normally open position and be closed upon movement of one ofthe rollers 14 when an original 16 is inserted into the nip of therollers and transported therethrough. When the original 16 istransported all the way through the rollers 14, switch 59 willautomatically open upon return of the rollers 14 into pressureengagement, disconnecting the power to the radiation source 28 andtransport motor 62.

The bracket 36 supporting the radiation sensitive photocells 34 andneedles 40 may be vibrated preferably at twice the power frequency orhertz by any suitable means such as a solenoid 64 as seen in FIGS. 2 and5 in a direction transverse to the paper travel a distance substantiallyequal to the pitch of the needles 40 (distance between two successiveneedles) so that the needles will cover the entire paper surface in theshortest possible time. Naturally, the greater the number of needles 40and photocells 34 used, the faster the paper surface can be covered anda copy produced of the original. By intermittently applying the power tophotocells 34 and needles 40, a half-tone copy can be produced. This maybe accomplished as seen in FIG. 4 by rectifying the AC input by anysuitable rectifier 61, and intermittently applying the output ofrectifier 61 to the photocells and needles through any suitablemakeand-break circuit 63 which operates at a frequency that isproportional to the AC voltage. When the voltage is low, which occurswhen the needles are at each end of their travel, the frequency at whichthe power is broken is low. When the needle speed is greatest, thefrequency at which the power is broken is the highest. This is necessaryto provide a uniform spatial frequency of the dot pattern as iscustomary in normal half-tone production. By adjusting the amplitude ofthe bracket 36 so that it is equal to the pitch of the needles 40, andby vibrating the bracket 36 in resonance with the alternating currentpotential source such that a needle 40 travels a distance equal to thepitch of the needles during' each half cycle of the power source, it hasbeen noted that the voltage required is proportional to the needlespeed. Accordingly, as the number of needles 40 used is increased, theneedle speed that is necessary is decreased, and the voltage required tooperate the copying device is decreased.

In the embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8,parts similar to parts shown in FIGS. 1-6 will be denoted by the samenumerals primed. In this embodiment, the entire original 16. isirradiated by a radiation source 28', and the reflected image orradiation focused by any suitable lens system 30' onto a plurality ofradiation sensitive photocells 34 only a portion of which are shown inFIG. 8, arranged to receive all of the radiation from the original. Asdescribed in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-6, thephotocells 34' are connected to corresponding needles 40. A copy paper42' is manually moved through an entry door 65 and placed on a pivotallymounted support platen 67 which is moved to a latched copying positionas shown in full lines, in which the copy paper is held in engagementwith the needles 40'. To assure complete coverage of the copy paper 42'by needles 40, in addition to vibrating means 64 for moving the bracket36 transversely of the paper 42' through a distance equal to thetransverse distance between the needles any suitable 7 transport means68 such as a solenoid must be provided (See FIG. 7) to move the bracket36' longitudinally of the paper through the longitudinal distancebetween the needles 40'. Following such transverse and longitudinaltravel for a predetermined time to make a copy, a

switch, not shown, is actuated by any suitable means to disconnect thepower to the device. The bracket 36' is returned to its original normalposition by springs 70.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinabove.

lclaim:

1. In copying apparatus for reproducing a copy of an original on a copymedium and including an irradiating station and means for irradiating anoriginal bearing an image which is positioned at the irradiating stationto produce a radiation image corresponding to the original, thecombination comprising:

a. radiation sensing means located with respect to said irradiatingstation to receive the radiation image from the original for producingan electrical image signal corresponding to a received radiation signal;

. copying station means for receiving a copy medimeans adjacent saidcopying station for transmitting the electrical image signal to the copymedium and including a plurality of electrically conductive members;

. support means for supporting the plurality of electrically conductivemembers which are spaced a first distance apart in a first dimensionwith respect to the copy medium and which are spaced a second distanceapart in a second dimension with respect to the copy medium;

. first vibrating means for vibrating said support means in said firstdimension a distance substantially equal to said first distance; and

f. second vibrating means operating in timed relation to said firstvibrating means for vibrating said support means in said seconddimension a distance substantially equal to said second distance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation sensing meanscomprises a plurality of photoreceptors each adapted to provide asignal, the totality of said photoreceptor signals comprising saidelectrical image signal, and wherein said plurality of electricallyconductive members comprise discharge means that are electricallyconnected to said plurality of photoreceptors for receiving the varyingsignals therefrom.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a. power means for supplying an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency;rectifier means connected to said power means for rectifying said ACvoltage;

. conductor means for supplying said rectified AC voltage to saidradiation sensing means; and

. interruptor means connected between said rectifier means and saidconductor means for interrupting the rectified AC voltage supplied tosaid sensing means at a frequency proportional to the voltage of saidrectified voltage.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first said vibrating meansvibrates said support means at a frequency which is resonant with saidfrequency of said AC voltage.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first vibrating means vibratessaid support means at a frequency twice said frequency of said ACvoltage.

6. In copying apparatus for reproducing a copy of an original on a copymedium and having an irradiating station whereat radiation is directedonto an original for providing a radiation image in accordance with theoriginal;

radiation sensing means for producing an electrical image signalproportional to the radiation sensed;

means for directing the radiation image from the original onto saidradiation sensing means to produce said image signal in response to theradiation image; and

first support means for supporting a copy medium with respect to saidradiation sensing means such that the image signal from said radiationsensing means is electrically transmitted to the copy medium to form acopy corresponding to the original, the improvement in said radiationsensing means comprising:

a. a plurality of electrically conductive members;

b. second support means for supporting said plurality of electricallyconductive members which are spaced a first distance apart in a firstdimension with respect to the copy medium and which are spaced a seconddistance apart in a second dimension with respect to the copy medium;

. first vibrating means for vibrating said second support means in saidfirst dimension with respect to the copy medium a distance substantiallyequal to said first distance; and

. second vibrating means operating in timed relation to said firstvibrating means for vibrating said support means in said seconddimension a distance substantially equal to said second distance.

7. The apparatus of c1555 wherein said radiation sensing means comprisesa plurality of photoreceptors each providing a signal, the totality ofsaid photoreceptor signals comprising said electrical signal image andwherein said plurality of electrically conductive members comprisedischarge means that are electrically connected to said plurality ofphotoreceptors to receive the signals therefrom.

8. In copying apparatus for reproducing a copy of an original on a copymedium and having an irradiating station, and radiation means forirradiating an original bearing an original image and positioned at theirradiation station to produce a radiation image corresponding totheoriginal image, said apparatus comprising:

a. radiation sensing means disposed to receive the radiation image fromthe original for producing an electrical image signal corresponding tothe radiation image received;

b. power means for supplying an AC voltage of predetermined frequency tosaid radiation sensing means;

c. copying station means for receiving a copy medid. means adjacent saidcopying station means for transmitting the electrical image signal tothe copy medium to form thereon a copy of the original, said means fortransmitting including a plurality of electrically conductive members;

e. support means for supporting the plurality of electrically conductivemembers which are spaced a first distance apart in a first dimensionwith respect to the copy medium, and which are spaced a second distanceapart in a second dimension with respect to the copy medium;

f. first vibrating means for vibrating said support means in said firstdimension a distance substantially equal to said first distance and at afrequency which is an integral multiple of the predetermined frequencyof said power means; and

g. second vibrating means operating in timed relation to said firstvibrating means for vibrating said support means in said seconddimension a distance substantially equal to said second distance.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said radiation sensing means compises a plurality of photoreceptors each'providing a signal, the totalityof said photoreceptor signals comprising said electrical image signal,and wherein said plurality of electrically conductive members comprisedischarge means that are electrically connected to said plurality ofphotoreceptors for receiving the varying signals therefrom.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first vibrating means vibratessaid support means at a frequency which is twice the frequency of saidpredetermined frequency of said power means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second vibrating meansvibrates said support means in said second dimension in synchronism withsaid first vibrating means.

1. In copying apparatus for reproducing a copy of an original on a copymedium and including an irradiating station and means for irradiating anoriginal bearing an image which is positioned at the irradiating stationto produce a radiation image corresponding to the original, thecombination comprising: a. radiation sensing means located with respectto said irradiating station to receive the radiation image from theoriginal for producing an electrical image signal corresponding to areceived radiation signal; b. copying station means for receiving a copymedium; c. means adjacent said copying station for transmitting theelectrical image signal to the copy medium and including a plurality ofelectrically conductive members; d. support means for supporting theplurality of electrically conductive members which are spaced a firstdistance apart in a first dimension with respect to the copy medium andwhich are spaced a second distance apart in a second dimension withrespect to the copy medium; e. first vibrating means for vibrating saidsupport means in said first dimension a distance substantially equal tosaid first distance; and f. second vibrating means operating in timedrelation to said first vibrating means for vibrating said support meansin said second dimension a distance substantially equal to said seconddistance.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation sensingmeans comprises a plurality of photoreceptors each adapted to provide asignal, the totality of said photoreceptor signals comprising saidelectrical image signal, and wherein said plurality of electricallyconductive members comprise discharge means that are electricallyconnected to said plurality of photoreceptors for receiving the varyingsignals therefrom.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including: a. power meansfor supplying an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency; b. rectifiermeans connected to said power means for rectifying said AC voltage; c.conductor means for supplying said rectified AC voltage to saidradiation sensing means; and d. interruptor means connected between saidrectifier means and said conductor means for interrupting the rectifiedAC voltage supplied to said sensing means at a frequency proportional tothe voltage of said rectified voltage.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said first said vibrating means vibrates said support means at afrequency which is resonant with said frequency of said AC voltage. 5.The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first vibrating means vibratessaid support means at a frequency twice said frequency of said ACvoltage.
 6. In copying apparatus for reproducing a copy of an originalon a copy medium and having an irradiating station whereat radiation isdirected onto an original for providing a radiation image in accordancewith the original; radiation sensing means for producing an electricalimage signal proportional to the radiation sensed; means for directingthe radiation image from the original onto said radiation sensing meansto produce said image signal in response to the radiation image; andfirst support means for supporting a copy medium with respect to saidradiation sensing means such that the image signal from said radiationsensing means is electrically transmitted to the copy medium to form acopy corresponding to the original, the improvement in said radiationsensing means comprising: a. a plurality of electrically conductivemembers; b. second support means for supporting said plurality ofelectrically conductive members which are spaced a first distance apartin a first dimension with respect to the copy medium and which arespaced a second distance apart in a second dimension with respect to thecopy medium; c. first vibrating means for vibrating said second supportmeans in said first dimension with respect to the copy medium a distancesubstantially equal to said first distance; and d. second vibratingmeans operating in timed relation to said first vibrating means forvibrating said support means in said second dimension a distancesubstantially equal to said second distance.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein said radiation sensing means comprises a plurality ofphotoreceptors each providing a signal, the totality of saidphotoreceptor signals comprising said electrical signal image andwherein said plurality of electrically conductive members comprisedischarge means that are electrically connected to said plurality ofphotoreceptors to receive the signals therefrom.
 8. In copying apparatusfor reproducing a copy of an original on a copy medium and having anirradiating station, and radiation means for irradiating an originalbearing an original image and positioned at the irradiation station toproduce a radiation image corresponding to the original image, saidapparatus comprising: a. radiation sensing means disposed to receive theradiation image from the original for producing an electrical imagesignal corresponding to the radiation image received; b. power means forsupplying an AC voltage of predetermined frequency to said radiationsensing means; c. copying station means for receiving a copy medium; d.means adjacent said copying station means for transmitting theelectrical image signal to the copy medium to form thereon a copy of theoriginal, said means for transmitting including a plurality ofelectrically conductive members; e. support means for supporting theplurality of electrically conductive members which are spaced a firstdistance apart in a first dimension with respect to the copy medium, andwhich are spaced a second distance apart in a second dimension withrespect to the copy medium; f. first vibrating means for vibrating saidsupport means in said first dimension a distance substantially equal tosaid first distance and at a frequency which is an integral multiple ofthe predetermined frequency of said power means; and g. second vibratingmeans operating in timed relation to said first vibrating means forvibrating said support means in said second dimension a distancesubstantially equal to said second distance.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8wherein said radiation sensing means comprises a plurality ofphotoreceptors each providing a signal, the totality of saidphotoreceptor signals comprising said electrical image signal, andwherein said plurality of electrically conductive members comprisedischarge means that are electrically connected to said plurality ofphotoreceptors for receiving the varying signals therefrom.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein said first vibrating means vibrates saidsupport means at a frequency which is twice the frequency of saidpredetermined frequency of said power means.
 11. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said second vibrating means vibrates said support means insaid second dimension in synchronism with said first vibrating means.